Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Fiscal Year 2025 Research Subtopics

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Shared Services Center has released a Special Notice for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Fiscal Year 2025 Research Subtopics. This notice is designed to help small businesses and research institutions prepare for the upcoming NASA SBIR Phase I Solicitation by providing advance details about research subtopics. The opportunity was posted on December 2, 2024, with a due date of January 7, 2025, and is set aside exclusively for small businesses. NASA plans to support potential applicants by hosting a series of "Ask Me Anything" webinars during the week of December 9, 2024, which will feature live Q&A sessions with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to provide insights into the research subtopics. The subtopics are organized according to NASA's 2024 Technology Taxonomy and cover various research areas across NASA's Mission Directorates.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to facilitate research and innovation in critical technological areas important to NASA's mission, with a focus on supporting small businesses in developing cutting-edge solutions. Eligible contractors are small businesses that can submit proposals addressing specific research subtopics across areas such as aeronautics, space exploration, science, and space technology. Key requirements include preparing proposals that align with the specified research subtopics, with most opportunities seeking technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) between 2-6. The SBIR program offers a two-phase approach: Phase I will involve feasibility studies and initial research, while successful Phase II proposals will require prototype development and more advanced demonstrations. Potential research areas include innovative technologies for dynamic power conversion, autonomous robotic systems, advanced aircraft configurations, and other critical NASA technological needs. Contractors are encouraged to carefully review the detailed subtopic descriptions and attend the upcoming webinars to maximize their understanding of NASA's specific research requirements and expectations.